A Journey through Colombo’s Heart

A Tanka tale of an emigre’s experience in Colombo Rail station

Denzil Jayasinghe
Just now

Wooden counters of the past,

Memories arise.

Iron rods fence the queues and time,

Hand-operated tickets chime.

Lost in unfamiliar gates,

A trio stands, bags of rags,

Strangers in the crowd.

I offer help, their smiles wide,

Guiding them to the southern ride.

Platform four, the destination,

Train doors open, life in motion,

Neglected seats tell tales.

A journey through another time,

Unique, though past its prime.

Standards low, I may confess,

Yet millions make do, no less,

With what life bestows.

Sri Lanka’s heart, its rail’s embrace,

A vibrant, resilient living space.

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Images belong to the original owners.

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